Community meeting on wetlands restoration Wed., June 10

The environmental group Friends of Ballona Wetlands will host a community meeting to discuss the ongoing restoration efforts at the wetlands at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 10th, at the office of City Councilman Bill Rosendahl, 7166 Manchester Ave., Westchester.

Friends of Ballona members say that the recent fire in Santa Barbara and ongoing drought conditions in California are important reminders that the Ballona Wetlands, which play a critical role in the Los Angeles region’s water supply, are also dramatically affected by continuing heat and dry weather patterns.

“Before they were channelized, Ballona Creek and Centinela Creek carried water from rainfall into the wetlands, where it ponded during the typically dry Southern California summers, making its way slowly into the Pacific Ocean,” said Dr. Edith Read, board member of Friends of Ballona Wetlands. “This receding water volume affects the quality of life for the birds and wildlife in the Ballona Wetlands, which in turn has an impact on the overall ecological system in Los Angeles.”

Read continued, “We are committed to restoring the wetlands and hope all Angelenos and Southern Californians will recognize the important function of the wetlands.

“All residents are invited to join us in our efforts by volunteering their time — or simply by participating in one of our interpretive tours to better understand our sensitive ecosystem.”